Facts

John Calabria was born in Verona on October 8th, 1873 by Luigi Foschi and Angela Calabria, the youngest of seven brothers.

Since the family lived in poverty, when his father died he had to interrupt his studies (he was in the fourth grade) and find work as an apprentice: however, Don Pietro Scapini, Rector of St. Lawrence, who helped him to overcome the entrance exam in high school of the seminary.

Resumed his studies after his military service, and in 1897 he enrolled at the Faculty of Theology Seminary, with the intention of becoming a priest. A singular episode accadutogli marked the beginning of his activity on behalf of orphans and abandoned: one night in November he found an abandoned baby and welcomed him into his house, sharing the facilities.

Newly ordained priest (on 11 August 1901), was appointed curate of St. Stephen and confessor of the Seminary. In 1907 he was appointed Rector of San Benedetto del Monte, where he also undertook the care and concern for the soldiers.

On November 26, 1907, he founded the "Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence", approved by the Bishop of Verona on February 11, 1932, and the Pope April 25, 1949.

Since then the congregation continued to spread abroad (in 1934 four brothers were sent to India to take care of Paria).

He died December 4, 1954, was 81 years. He was beatified on April 17, 1988 and canonized on April 18, 1999.

Bishop and martyr, the father of St. Isaac the Great. A native of Armenia, he studied in Cappadocia and wed a princess who gave birth to Isaac. After she died, he served as a chamber lain in the ... continue reading

Required

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, also known as St. Elizabeth of Thuringia, was born in Hungary on July 7, 1207 to the Hungarian King Andrew II and Gertrude of Merania.
As soon as her life began, she had responsibilities from being a royal pressed upon her. While Elizabeth ... continue reading

Saint Michael the Archangel isn't a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title "Archangel" means, that he is above all the others in rank.
St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we ... continue reading

St. Gabriel is an angel who serves as a messenger for God to certain people. He is one of the three archangels. Gabriel is mentioned in both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible. First, in the Old Testament, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his ... continue reading

There is a saint called Benedict the Black or Benedict the Moor. He was born a slave near Messina, Italy. He was freed by his master and became a solitary, eventually settling with other hermits at Montepellegrino. He was made superior of the community, but when he was ... continue reading

St. Bernadette was born in Lourdes, France on January 7, 1844. Her parents were very poor and she was the first of nine children. She was baptized at St. Pierre's, the local parish church, on January 9. As a toddler, Bernadette contracted cholera and suffered extreme ... continue reading